Fix Your Thoughts
In the book of Philippians, at the end of this next verse, it talks about thinking about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Sometimes that sounds easier said than done. There is so much negativity in this world.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Yet, we have a choice on the direction of our thoughts. We can choose to think of excellent things! We can chose to think about things that are worthy of praise!
Personally, I believe it starts with the first part of the verse, where it says to fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.
So many times we let our mind wander mindlessly... letting it go wherever it wants with no reigns, no boundaries. We entertain vain imaginations. We allow our minds to go down roads that can be quite hurtful to ourselves.
Keeping our focus on excellent things can be difficult, especially in this deeply fallen world, but not impossible. It requires persistent effort. Moment by moment, day by day, trying to make better choices with our minds, choosing to look for what is good.
We need to guard our heart and mind.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
One way to guard your heart is to take a mental note of your thoughts. Is there a struggle you keep going back to in your mind? If so, try to identify why? Was I upset by a circumstance? Was I hurt? Is there a misunderstanding? These things need to be given over to our loving Savior. Pray for yourself. Ask The Lord to help you forgive, to let go, to move on. Dwelling on a sour subject, will only make you sour and that is exactly what our enemy, the devil, wants.
What I've also described is basically, the next verse.... capturing those rebellious thoughts....
2 Corinthians 4:23 (NLT) 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
The best way to learn to fix your thoughts on excellent things is to memorize scripture. You can start with Philippians 4:8. It's a great verse to learn and there are so many others. I find fighting the flesh with the Word of God is very effective. It reminds me of Christ's love for me, that He's always there for me, and that He's the answer to everything in my life.
Blessings,
Lori
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